Welcome to the homepage of the SPP 2238 - Dynamics of Ore Metals Enrichment.

This research program has been established through funding by the DFG for up to six years starting in 2020.

The over-riding goal of the DOME SPP is to find solutions to fundamental questions of element transport and mineralization in heterogeneous chemical systems that are complex, dynamic and highly transient. The topic of ore genesis has been studied for a long time from a combined field/laboratory perspective and also experimentally in simplified systems, but rarely have these techniques been integrated in a coordinated way with the third perspective from numerical process modeling. The originality and innovation potential of this SPP lies in the coordination of empirical field-related studies that define the geological/mineralogical framework of natural ore systems with experimental work and numerical models that provide a quantitative understanding of the processes involved. This coordinated approach is essential to achieve an understanding of natural ore systems sufficient to develop exploration models for deeply covered deposits. The program has two complementary theme areas: A) Ore-forming systems – natural boundary conditions, i.e. field-based studies on exemplary natural systems, B) Simulating the processes – constraints on metal mobilization and precipitation, i.e. laboratory simulations for determining thermodynamic and kinetic parameters needed for thermo-chemical-mechanical process modeling of ore systems. The SPP will integrate these two areas to explore links and feedbacks among key processes in ore systems and to derive integrated models of ore formation.

This call invites proposals for the second three-year funding period (2023-2026). The Priority Program DOME investigates the dynamics of ore-metals enrichment in nature. Its aim is to develop knowledge-based predictive models of how metals enrichment takes place and where to look for new deposits that can provide the resources for present and future societal growth. Proposals should contribute to one or both of the following key areas:

A: Field studies of natural ore-forming systems and exemplary deposits.

B: Laboratory and/or numerical simulation studies to constrain material properties, behaviors, and process parameters that control metals enrichment in systems addressed in (A).

Collaborations between experimental and field-based projects are particularly welcome. Research proposals for the second three-year funding period are now invited. The call is open to current and new members of the SPP. Extension of current projects can be considered. The deadline for proposal submission is October 26, 2022. The anticipated starting date of projects should be summer, 2023.

The complete call can be found here and and is also stored with further attachments  in the files-tab.